Looking for some advice...

Jessel0001
Jessel0001 Posts: 24 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Okay so this is my second time posting to MFP, I've been using the calorie tracker for some time now. A few years ago I lost about 70lbs going from 230 to 160. I am 5'9" and around 165 now (added some lean weight). The last thing that I am trying to do is get rid of those pesky love handles. I can't tell if it is fat or just loose skin from weight loss. I figured after almost three years of being thin loose skin would tighten back up. I recently had a body fat analysis conduct with the 7 site pinch test which came back around 7%. I eat a very healthy balanced diet and work out 5 to 6 six times a week for about an hour of differing exercises. I don't even want to think about any lipo or things like that.

Is there anyone else that had the same situation as me? If so how did you overcome it? Does anyone have any tidbits of advice to offer?

I look forward to any responses I can get.

Replies

  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    Without seeing a picture it's hard to say but if you are at 7% body fat, it's no likely that it's love handles in the sense of stored fat.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Without seeing a picture it's hard to say but if you are at 7% body fat, it's no likely that it's love handles in the sense of stored fat.

    ^ This.

    Odds are that the caliper test just was incorrect.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    <-- Above 7%, no love handles.

    Most likely the person doing the test didn't administer it correctly.
  • Chairless
    Chairless Posts: 583 Member
    Test sounds off, are you doing much strength training?
  • wolfpack77
    wolfpack77 Posts: 655
    If you are 5' 9'' 165 you are not 7% body fat. Unless you are seriously ripped, in which case you wouldnt have love handles. You would have a 6 pack and a very muscular upper body.

    I am 5' 9'' 155 and l am about 10% body fat. And thats will a lot of lean mass. When I was bulking I was around 165 with a bit of fat around my mid section.

    Most likey its fat because us guys tend to hold on to it around our waist, lower abs and back. Its the last place its going to come off, so to get rid of it you're going to have to dedicate yourself to a lean out period. This may take you down to a weight you may not be comfortable with, but its only temporary. Once its gone you can change back to maintenance.

    You will be presently surprised that without that extra weight your maintenance will be much lower than before. Maybe 160 or so.

    Good luck
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    <---- That's probably in the ballpark of 12% for a comparison sake.
  • Jessel0001
    Jessel0001 Posts: 24 Member
    I will post some pics when I get home from work. I would have to agree that the caliper test was off. I use a body fat scale at home that usually reads about 11 to 12.
  • fcp1234
    fcp1234 Posts: 1,098 Member
    You are not 7% body fat. I'm 5'9 too and the only time I was close to 10% was when was around 135 lbs
  • Jessel0001
    Jessel0001 Posts: 24 Member
    I took some pictures, but I don't see how to add them to my post



    EDIT: Added profile pic.
  • Jessel0001
    Jessel0001 Posts: 24 Member
    Test sounds off, are you doing much strength training?

    Yes, I alternate week to week 3 days or 4
  • jesz124
    jesz124 Posts: 1,004 Member
    Women naturally carry more body fat then men though. Men seem to be able to have much lower fat % then us. I blame the boobies :-)
  • Jessel0001
    Jessel0001 Posts: 24 Member
    I think less than 18% is considered very low for women.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    Dude, relax! ;) You don't have any love handles. You might be obsessing? Chill! You look great and are at a very good bf% if it's 11 or 12%. The pictures look good.
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